Thanks Those links are both very useful, only there's not a breeder any where close to where I am... staffordshire. I'll definitely want to get them from a breeder after reading alot more info than I had done before.
I'm looking to get a few rats soon (waiting for a local breeder to have the right amount of the right coloured kittens). I'm actually going for 4 or more male rats though as they're far more docile than the girls. The girls are hyper and into everything. The boys just sort of sniff about & then sleep on you which is dead cute The more you get the better, as long as you have a nice amount of space for them. Mine will have an area the size of a small bedroom to play in so my guess is they'll be happy little ratties Rats totally rock as pets. A few mates of mine used to take theirs to the pub on their shoulders. They like a sip of beer every now & then too.
It really depends on the pet shop. The mass market stores like Petco(n) and Petsmart are only out for a buck. There are still mom and pop stores that raise good quality animals and favor quality over quantity. We have one called Pete's Pets, but they had a fire and almost all of the animals either burned or suffocated. It was caused by an electric heating pad, they think That's a place I would have no problems buying from.
My sister had 5 rats over several years. They are one of the best pets I'v seen, they don't try to run away (one escaped from it's cage and we just left the cage open and the next morning it was sleeping in it's cage again), they don't bite or scratch, and they are quite clean (at least the females are). three of the 5 rats eventually died from tumors, apparently this is quite common.
rats are great. males are more docile than females but they do smell more, it shouldn't be to bad if you keep the cage clean(particuly bedding) and give 'em a wash now and then. females are just hyper but smell and fight less. make sure you get as large a cage as you can to prevent fights. the dapper rat has lots of info on rats, even how to litter train them.
